Gripper support means for rotary folding apparatus



Oct 1965 P. H. BREIDENBACH ETAL 4,

GRIPPER SUPPORT MEANS FOR ROTARY FOLDING APPARATUS 1 1 M t o m m/ k/ W m 8 M. w ,//W/.l\% m 5 Ilil 2 rr Filed Nov. 15, 1963 PAUL H. BREIDENBACH BY RAYMOND CORNETT W WM 0 1965 P. H. BREIDENBACH ETAL 3,214,162

GRIPPER SUPPORT MEANS FOR ROTARY FOLDING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 15, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 lo 9 FIG-5 *J n 8 30 2a 60 o a /00 /00 w a N; I fi Vgg INVENTORS I60 PAUL H. BREIDENBACH RAYMOND CORNETT ATTORNEY ct. 26, 195 P. H. BREIDENBACH ETAL 3,214,162

GRIPPER SUPPORT MEANS FOR ROTARY FOLDING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 15, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS PAUL H. BREIDENBACH RAYMOND CORNETT ATTORNEY 1965 P. H. BREIDENBACH ETAL 3,214,162

GRIPPER SUPPORT MEANS FOR ROTARY FOLDING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 15, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS PAUL H. BREIDENBACH RAYMOND CORNETT ATTORN EY FIG-l3 Oct. 26, 1965' P. H. BREIDENBACH ETAL 3,

GRIPPER SUPPORT MEANS FOR ROTARY FOLDING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 15, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS PAUL H. BREIDENBACH RAYMOND CORNE'ITT ATTORNEY my f w s 214 162 oarrrna surron'i MEANS FOR noranv IFGLDING APPARATUS This invention relates to strip handling apparatus. The invention relates more particularly to apparatus for 1ftlllding a strip or web of material such as paper or the Many types of business forms are produced from a web or strip in which the web is folded into a pack or the like during some stage in the production of the business forms.

Business forms, after they are produced, are ordinarily processed in a machine in which the forms must be accurately positioned. Therefore, in the production of business forms it is necessary that the business forms be precisely accurate in dimensions and free from any mutilation or distortion. It is particularly important that the edges of a business form be free from mutilation or distortion.

In the past, folder machines have caused mutilation to portions of a web during the folding thereof. Particular- Iy objectionable is mutilation which has occurred in the portions of the web from which business forms are obtained.

Business forms which require an accurately controlled edge must be free from any mutilation. All webs from which business forms are produced have presented a problem in the folding thereof. A particular problem has existed in the folding of a web from which business forms are produced which business forms require an accurately controlled edge and which business forms have a partial perforation line spaced slightly from the accurately determined edge. When folding of the web occurs along the perforation line, damage to the edge has occurred in the use of known folder machines. Attempts to produce other types of business forms from a Web without mutilation of the business forms have also presented many problems.

It is an object of this invention to provide folder apparatus which does not objectionably distort or mutilate any portion of the web.

It is another object of this invention to provide folder apparatus which does not mutilate or distort portions of the web from which business forms are produced.

It is another object of this invention to provide folder apparatus which is easily and readily adjustable to accommodate a web of any one of various widths.

Another object of this invention is to provide such folder appartus which grips the web at any desired limited portion or portions thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide such apparatus which is capable of operating upon heavy durable or light delicate web material without objectionable distortion or mutilation of the web.

Other objects and advantages reside in the construction of parts, the combination thereof, the method of manufacture, and the mode of operation, as will become more apparent from the following description.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view, with parts shown diagrammatically and broken away, of folder apparatus of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic side view, drawn on a smaller scale, of folder apparatus of this invention.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged front fragmentary View of folder apparatus of this invention.

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FIGURE 4 is an enlarged diagrammatic view of cam mechanism of apparatus of this invention.

FIGURE 5 is another enlarged diagrammatic view of cam mechanism of apparatus of this invention.

FIGURES 6 and 7 are diagrammatic views, on a smaller scale than FIGURES 4 and 5, showing portions of the folder apparatus of this invention.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on line 8-8 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on line 99 of FIGURE 3 and on a smaller scale than FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 1ti1t) of FIGURE 3 and on substantially the same scale as FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 11-11 of FIGURE 3 and on substantially the same scale as FIGURES 9 and 10.

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on line 1212 of FIGURE 3 and on substantially the same scale as FIGURES 9, l0, and 11.

FIGURE 13 is en enlarged perspective exploded view, with parts broken away and shown in section, of clamping mechanism of the apparatus of this invention.

FIGURE 14 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective exploded view of a portion of folder apparatus of this invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, folder apparatus of this invention comprises primarily two rotary units, herein referred to as rotary units and .22, as best illustrated in FIGURES 1, 9, and 10.

The rotary unit 20 has a main shaft 24. The rotary unit 22 has a main shaft 26. The shafts 24 and 26 are substantially parallel and are rotatably supported by any suitable means. In FIGURE 3 support structure 28 is shown at one end of the shafts 24- and 26 and support structure 30 is shown at the other end of the shafts 24 and 26 for support thereof.

FIGURE 1 shows stationary support plates 32 and 34 which are carried by the support structure 28 and the shafts 24 and 26, respectively, extend therethrough.

FIGURE 1 diagrammatically illustrates means for rotation of the shafts 24 and 26. A motor 36 is shown diagrammatically in driving relationship with a shaft 38. The purpose of the shaft 38 is discussed below. The shaft 38 has a gear 40 attached thereto for rotation therewith. The gear 40 drives an idler gear 42 which is I0- tatably supported by any suitable means, not shown. The idler gear 42 is in mesh with a gear 44, which is attached to the shaft 26, for rotation thereof. The gear 4-4 is in mesh with a gear 46, which is attached to the shaft 24, for rotation thereof. The gears 44 and 46 are preferably of the same diameter so that the shafts 24 and 26 rotate at the same rate.

As best shown in FIGURES 1 and 3, the shaft 24 has a plate 50 secured thereto at one end thereof and a plate 52 secured thereto at the other end thereof for rotation therewith. As shown in FIGURE 1, the shaft 26 has a plate 54 secured thereto at one end thereof and a plate 56 secured thereto at the other end thereof for rotation therewith.

Rotary unit 20 The plates 50 and 52 support a pair of auxiliary shafts or rods 58 which are at diametrically opposite portions of the plates 50 and 52. The auxiliary shafts or rods 58 are rotatably carried by the plates 50 and 52. 1"he plates 50 and 52 also rotatably support a pair of auxiliary shafts or rods 60 which are at diametrically opposite portions of the plates 50 and 52 and which are at substantially degree positions from the rods 58.

Each of the rods 58 carries an elongate bar 62, best 3 shown in FIGURES 9, 12, and 14. An elongate resilient tucker blade or leaf 64 is attached to each bar 62 and extends along the length thereof, as shown in FIGURE 14. As shown in FIGURE 12, the tucker blade 64 is secured to the bar 62 by means of a strip 66 which has one or more bolt members 68, threaded into the bar 62.

As shown in FIGURES 9, 12, and 14, the plate 50, and if desired, the plate 52, carries a pair of yokes 70, each of which partially encompasses one of the bars 62. Each yoke 70 is attached to the plate 50 by means of bolts 71, shown in FIGURE 12. Each yoke 70 carries a spring 72 which engages the bar 62. The spring 72 engages an adjustment plug 73. A stud 74 which is engageable by the bar 62 is adjustable to limit the degree of pivotal movement of the bar 62. The spring 72 urges pivotal movement of the bar 62 toward the stud 74. Thus, the angular position of the tucker blade 64, with respect to a radial line extending from the shaft 24, is determined by the adjusted position of the stud '74, as shown in FIGURES 9 and 12.

The main shaft 24 has one or more brackets 75 carried thereby intermediate the plates 50 and 52. Herein two brackets 75 are shown carried by the shaft 24. As best shown in FIGURE 13, the bracket 75 has a hub 76 which encompasses the shaft 24. The hub 76 has a key slot 77 into which an elongate protuberance 79 of the shaft 24 is disposed so that the hub 76 is rotatable with the shaft 24.

The hub 76 is axially movable upon the shaft 24. The hub 76 is provided with an arcuate slot 78 in the periphery thereof within which is partially disposed a finger 80. The finger 80 is pivotally carried by a screw 82 which is threaded into the hub 76. The finger 80 has a tip 84 which is movable into any one of a plurality of axially spaced notches 86 in the protuberance 79 of the shaft 24. The finger 80 is biased by a spring 88 which urges movement of the tip 84 toward the protuberance 79. An engagement piece 89 engages the finger 80 and is carried by the spring 88. Thus, the spring 88 with the engagement piece 89 urges movement of the finger 80. Thus, the hub 76 and the bracket 75 carried thereby are adjustably movable along the shaft 24 and are retained in any position at which the tip 84 of the finger 80 is disposed within a notch 86.

Also, as shown in FIGURES 6, 7, 9 and 13, the bracket 75 carries a pair of stationary jaw members 92, the stationary jaw members 92 being at opposed portions of the bracket 75 and spaced laterally from the shaft 24. The bracket 75 has a pair of apertures 90, there being an aperture 90 adjacent each of the stationary jaw members 92. One of the auxiliary shafts or rods 60 rotatably extends through each of the apertures 90.

p A U-shaped connector 94 is associated with each rod 60. Each U-shaped connector 94 has a part 96 encompassing the rod 60 on one side surface of the bracket 75 and a bifurcated part 98 encompassing the rod 60 on the opposite side surface of the bracket 75. The connector 94 is pivotally movable with respect to the bracket 75.

A sleeve 100 encompasses each rod 60 and has a lug 102 disposed between the portions of the bifurcated part 98 of the U-shaped connector 94 as shown in FIGURE 13. Set screws 104 are carried by the portions of the bifurcated part 98 and engage the lug 102. Each of the screws 104 is threadedly connected to a nut 103. The sleeve 100 has an internal key 105 which fits into an axial slot 106 in the surface of the rod 60 so that the sleeve 100 is rotatable with rotation of the rod 60. The sleeve 100 is axially movable along the rod 60.

The space between the portions of the bifurcated part 98 is somewhat greater than the width of the lug 102. Each of the screws 104 engages the lug 102 as the lug 102 is disposed between the bifurcated portions of the part 98. Adjustment of the screws 104 thus adjusts the angular position of the sleeve 100 with respect to the U-shaped connector 94. Rotation of the rod 60 thus rotatively moves the U-shaped connector 94 with respect to the bracket 75. As is to be understood, the sleeve 100 is adapted to move axially only with axial movement of the bracket 75. One or more set screws 107 retain the position of the sleeve 100 upon the rod 60 to maintain the lug 102 between the portions of the bifurcated part 98 of the U-shaped connector 94.

The U-shaped connector 94 carried by each rod 60 has a jaw 108 which is disposed adjacent one of the stationary jaws 92 of the bracket 75. The jaw 108 is in alignment with the jaw 92 and is movable toward and away from the jaw 92 upon pivotal movement of the U-shaped connector 94. As stated above, the U-shaped connector 94 pivotally moves with rotative movement of the rod 60.

Due to the fact that the bracket is axially adjustably movable along the shaft 24 and the U-shaped connector 94 and the sleeve are axially adjustably movable along the rod 60, the pair of jaws 92 and 108 adjacent each rod 60 are adjustably movable to various axial positions with respect to the rods 60 and the shaft 24.

As stated above, ordinarily there are at least two brackets 75 carried by the main shaft 24 intermediate the plates 50 and 52. However, more than two brackets 75 are frequently used. Both of the brackets 75 may be adjustably movable along the shaft 24 or one of the brackets 75 may be fixed in its axial position upon the shaft 24. Each of the brackets 75 has a pair of stationary jaws 92 at opposite portions thereof with a movable jaw 108 cooperable therewith, as described above. Thus, each pair of the jaws 92 and 108 forms a clamping or gripping member.

Each of the rods 60 extends through the plate 50, as shown in FIGURE 14, to a position intermediate the rotary plate 50 and the stationary plate 32. Each rod 60 has a cam follower arm 110 attached thereto at the end thereof. A screw 111 aids in clamping the arm 110 to the shaft 60. The arm 110 has a roller 112 rotatably carried thereby. A spring 114 which engages a block 116 and the arm 110 urges pivotal movement of the arm 110.

The block 116 is attached to the rotary plate 50 by means of screws 118, as shown in FIGURES l1 and 14. An adjustment screw 120 with cooperating nuts 121 is carried by the arm 110. The screw 120 engages the spring 114 and the adjusted position of the screw 120 determines the resilient force of the spring 114 with respect to the arm 110.

The stationary plate 32 has a protuberant attachment portion 126, shown in FIGURE 14. The attachment portion 126 has a plurality of arcuate slots 128 therein. The attachment portion 126 carries a pair of arcuate cam sections 130 and 132. The cam sections 130 and 132 are attached to the attachment portion 126 by means of screws 134 which extend through the sections 130 and 132.

The screws 134 also extend through the slots 128 and into arcuate threaded connector nuts 136 which engage a surface of the attachment portion 126 opposite to the surface engaged by the cam sections 130 and 132. The cam sections 130 and 132 together form an annular cam surface. By movement of the screws 134 along the slots 128 the relative positions of the cam sections 130 and 132 is adjusted for adjustment of the shape of the cam surface. Also, by such movement, the cam sections 130 and 132 are adjusted with respect to the attachment portion 126.

The roller 112 carried by each arm 110 is engageable with the cam sections 130 and 132 as the rotary plate 50 rotates with rotation of the shaft 24. The spring 114 which is engageable with each arm 110 urges pivotal movement of the arm 110 and urges the roller 112 to follow the cam surface formed by the sections 130 and 132. Each spring 114 urges its respective arm 110 toward the cam surface provided by the sections 130 and 132. Thus, as the plate 50 rotates with rotation of the main shaft 24, the roller 112 of each arm 110 is urged toward the cam surface of the sections 130 and 132. As the rollers 112 follow the irregular cam surface provided by the cam sections 130 and 132, the arms 110 are pivotally moved. As each arm 110 pivotally moves, its supporting rod 60 is pivotally moved. Pivotal movement of the rod 60 causes movement of the movable jaws 108 with respect to their respective stationary jaws 92. Therefore, there is clamping and unclamping action of the jaws 92 and 108 as the rotary unit rotates.

Rotary unit 22 The rotary unit 22 includes the support plates 54 and 56 which are carried adjacent opposite end portions of the shaft 26 for rotation therewith. The support plates 54 and 56 carry support rod members 58 and 60 and the elements attached thereto, as discussed above with respect to the plates 50 and 52 of the rotary unit 20. The shaft 26 carries a pair of brackets 75 and jaws 92 and 108, as discussed above with respect to the shaft 24. The stationary plate 34 has cam sections 130 and 132 attached thereto, as discussed above with respect to the stationary plate 32. Thus, the rotary unit 22 is substantially identical with the rotary unit 20.

Operation The units 20 and 22 are spaced one with respect to the other and relatively rotatable so that as the units 20 and 22 rotate, a tucker blade 64 of one unit is movable between a pair of the jaws 92 and 108 of the other unit, as shown in FIGURES 7 and 9.

A Web 140 is movable into the folder apparatus of this invention over a feed mechanism, herein shown in FIG- URE 2 as a pin feed mechanism 142. The web 140 then moves between guide members 144, then over a pin feed mechanism 146 carried by the shaft 38 shown in FIGURE 1. The elements 144 may serve as a slitter mechanism or any other suitable mechanism, if desired. The web 140 is guided upon the feed mechanism 146 by means of feed fingers 148. The web 140 then moves downwardly to a position between the rotary units 20 and 22. The longitudinal portion along the web 140 at which the folds occur is accurately and precisely determined by the mechanisms 142 and 146 which are used in initial adjustments to establish the position of the transverse fold lines along the length of the Web 140.

The rollers 112 and the cam sections 130 and 132 are shown diagrammatically in FIGURES 4 and 5. The movement of each roller 112 along the cam sections 130 and 132, as shown in FIGURES 10 and 14, pivotally moves the arm 110 which supports the roller 112. Such pivotal movement of the arm 110 causes rotative pivotal movement of the rod 60 which is attached thereto. By this slight rotative movement of the shafts 60 the movable jaws 108 are moved toward and away from the stationary jaws 92.

As stated above, each arm 110 is biased by a spring 114, as shown in FIGURE 11. It is to be noted that a roller 112 may not necessarily continuously engage the cam surface provided by the sections 130 and 132 as the roller 112 follows the cam surface. At the low portions of the cam surface the roller 112 may drop off from engagement therewith. Dropping off of the roller 112 from the cam surface, as illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 10, permits the spring 114 to pivotally move the arm 110 until the movable jaws 108 cause gripping action by engaging an object between the movable jaws 108 and the stationary jaws 92. Thus, resilient pressure of the spring 114 produces the gripping action of the jaws 92 and 108 and good gripping action of the jaws 92 and 108 is assured. When each jaw 108 is moved toward its respective jaw 92, the jaws come into engagement with portions of a web disposed therebetween.

FIGURES 6, 7, 9, and 10 illustrate the manner in which the web 140 is engaged by a tucker blade 64 of one rotary unit and is moved between a pair of jaws 92 and 100 of the rotary unit. The adjusted position of the stud 74 which engages the bar 62 determines the angle of entrance movement of the tucker blade 64 between the jaws 92 and 108, as shown in FIGURE 9. The movable jaw 108 moves toward the stationary jaw 92 and engages a portion of the web 140 which is positioned by the tucker blade 64 between the jaws 92 and 108, as shown in FIG- URES 7, 9, and 10.

Thus, the jaws 92 and 108 carried by each of the brackets 75 grasp the web 140. The web 140 is grasped at opposite marginal edges thereof or at any other desired or suitable position or positions. The jaws 92 and 108 grasp the Web 140 only at limited predetermined portions thereof. Each pair of the jaws 92 and 108 are positioned so that they grasp the web 140 only at portions thereof which are not to be used for business forms or the like. However, folding is caused along the entire Width of the web 140 as the web 140 is folded over a tucker blade 64 which extends completely across the width of the web 140. Then, as the rotary units 20 and 22 continue to rotate, the tucker blade 64 remains between the jaws 92 and 108 for a short distance.

Due to the fact that the tucker blade 64 is of resilient leaf material and rotatably mounted, the tucker blade 64 is permitted to slip out from between the pair of jaws 92 and 108 as the units 20 and 22 rotate. Then, as the rotary units 20 and 22 continue to rotate, the jaws 92 and 108 continue to retain the web 140 until the jaw 108 is moved in a direction from the jaw 92. Such movement of the jaw 108 occurs when the cam surface formed by the cam sections 130 and 132 urges pivotal movement of the cam follower arm 110. The cam follower arm 110 is pivotally moved as the roller 112 thereof follows the cam surface provided by the cam sections and 132. Such movement of the roller 112 pivotally moves its respective arm 110 and pivotally moves the rod 60 which moves the movable jaw 108 in a direction from the stationary jaw 92, releasing the web at a desired predetermined position.

Due to the fact that a pair of jaws 92 and 108 on one of the units 20 and 22 is alternately positioned with respect to a tucker blade 64 of the other unit, folded portions of the web 140 are carried under one rotary unit and then under the other rotary unit, as shown in FIG- URES 6 and 7. Thus, folding action occurs, as illustrated in FIGURES 1, 6, and 7.

FIGURES 4 and 5 illustrate points of grip of the web 140 by the jaws 92 and 108. These figures also illustrate that the point of release of the web 140 from the rotary unit 20 may be different from the point of release of the web 140 from the rotary unit 22. These points of release may be adjusted, as discussed above, by adjusting the positions of the cam sections 130 and 132 with respect to the attachment portion 126. Thus, the best folding action for any given type of web may be obtained.

An arcuate guide member 155, shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, below the rotary units 20 and 22 aids in forming a folded pack below the units 20 and 22. FIGURE 1 shows a moving belt below the rotary units 20 and 22. Thus, a continuous pack of folded web material is provided. A stop plate 162 is shown upon the belt 160 and aids in retaining the folded web 140 in vertical position. The folded web 140 formed and disposed upon the conveyor belt 160 may be severed in any desired position. Thus, a pack portion of the folded web 140 may be removed from the conveyor belt 160 while an additional pack is being formed as the folding operation continues to provide additional folded material upon the belt 160.

It is to be understood that the rotary units 20 and 22 cause folding action so that each folded portion of the web 140 is the same length as each other folded portion.

Also, due to the fact that at least one of the brackets 75 is axially movable along its respective shaft 24 or 26, web material of various widths may be folded as the jaws 92 and 108 grip the material at limited desired portions 7 thereof. For example, the jaws 92 and 108 are positioned so as to grip only portions of the web 140 which are not used in subsequent processes or which do not need to have accurate measurements or which do not require undistorted edges.

Ordinarily portions of the web 140 from which business forms are produced are spaced from the marginal edges. Therefore, the web 140 is ordinarily gripped at least at the marginal edges thereof during folding thereof. However, other portions of the web 140 may be gripped instead of the marginal edges thereof or along with the marginal edges thereof during folding thereof by means of the apparatus of this invention.

Although the preferred embodiment of the device has been described, it will be understood that within the purview of this invention various changes may be made in the form, details, proportion and arrangement of parts, the combination thereof, and mode of operation, which generally stated consists in a device capable of carrying out the objects set forth, as disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

The invention having thus been described, the following is claimed:

1. Folder apparatus comprising:

a plurality of rotary devices, the rotary devices being rotatable about adjacent parallel axes, each of the rotary devices being adapted for continuous unidirectional rotation,

each rotary device including a main rotary shaft,

each rotary device also including a pair of plates, there being a plate adjacent each end of the main rotary shaft and rotatable therewith,

each rotary device also including a plurality of auxiliary shafts rotatably carried by the plates and extending therebetween,

each of the auxiliary shafts being parallel with the axis of the main rotary shaft and spaced therefrom,

an elongate tucker blade carried by the plates and extending therebetween parallel with the auxiliary shafts,

a plurality of axially spaced-apart movable jaw members carried by each of the auxiliary shafts for rotative movement therewith, means for adjustable axial movement of at least one of the movable jaw members while the movable jaw members are carried by the auxiliary shaft,

a plurality of bracket members attached to the main shaft for rotation therewith, means for adjustable axial movement of at least one of the bracket members along the main shaft while the bracket members are carried thereby,

a plurality of axially spaced-apart stationary jaw members carried by the bracket means, there being a stationary jaw member adjacent each of the movable jaw members, rotative movement of the auxiliary shaft which supports the movable jaw members causing clamping and unclamping action between the movable jaw members and the stationary jaw members,

a plurality of stationary cam members, there being a stationary cam member adjacent each of the rotary devices,

a plurality of cam follower members, there being a cam follower member attached to each auxiliary shaft and rotatable therewith, the cam follower member engaging a stationary cam member so that the auxiliary shaft rotatively moves as the rotary device rotates and as the cam follower follows the stationary cam member,

the tucker blade of each rotary device being disposable intermediate a stationary jaw member and a movable jaw member of the other rotary device as the rotary devices rotate.

2. In folder apparatus,

a main rotary shaft, the main shaft being continuously unidirectionally rotatable,

a pair of axially spaced-apart support members carried by the shaft coaxial therewith and rotatable therewith,

a stationary cam member adjacent the rotary shaft,

a plurality of auxiliary shafts rotatively carried by the support members,

a plurality of movable jaw members, there being at least one movable jaw member carried by each of the auxiliary shafts and axially adjustably movable with respect thereto while carried thereby.

3. In folder apparatus for folding web material having marginal edges,

support structure,

a main rotary shaft carried by the support structure,

the main rotary shaft being continuously unidirectionally rotatable,

support means carried by the main rotary shaft for rotation therewith,

a stationary cam member carried by the support structure adjacent the main rotary shaft,

an auxiliary shaft operatively rotatably carried by the support means and extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the main rotary shaft, the auxiliary shaft being spaced from the axis of rotation of the main rotary shaft, the auxiliary shaft thus moving laterally and defining a cylinder as the auxiliary shaft is carried by the support means during rotation of the main shaft,

a plurality of movable jaw members, there being at least two movable jaw members carried by the auxiliary shaft and movable with rotation thereof, the movable jaw members being in spaced-apart positions as they are carried by the auxiliary shaft, means for changing the spaced-apart positions of the movable jaw members while the movable jaw members are carried by the auxiliary shaft,

a cam follower attached to the auxiliary shaft, the cam follower being engageable with the stationary cam member so that there is movement of the cam follower as the main rotary shaft rotates, movement of the cam follower causing operative rotative movement of the auxiliary shaft as the auxiliary shaft moves laterally with rotation of the support means,

a plurality of stationary jaw members carried by the main rotary shaft and rotatable therewith, the stationary jaw members being in spaced-apart positions as they are carried by the main rotary shaft, there being a stationary jaw member adjacent each of the movable jaw members and engageable thereby for gripping action, means for changing the spaced-apart positions of the stationary jaw members upon the main rotary shaft while the stationary jaw members are being carried thereby,

the movable jaw members and the stationary jaw members thus serving as gripping means and being capable of gripping web material of various widths at the marginal edges thereof as the stationary jaw members and the movable jaw members are relatively separable and adjustable to positions at the marginal edges of a web,

a plurality of cam followers, there being a cam follower attached to each of the auxiliary shafts, each cam follower being adjacent and engageable with the stationary cam member so that there is rotative movement of the auxiliary shaft as the main rotary shaft rotates, rotative movement of the auxiliary shaft causing movement of each movable jaw member carried thereby,

a plurality of stationary jaw members, there being a stationary jaw member carried by the rotary shaft and positioned adjacent each of the movable jaw members and cooperable therewith for gripping action, gripping action occurring as each movable jaw member is moved toward its respective stationary jaw member by rotative movement of the auxiliary shaft which supports the movable jaw member. 4. In apparatus for folding a web of paper or the like into a pack,

stationary support structure,

a plurality of rotary units disposed in substantially parallel relationship and carried by the stationary support structure, each of the rotary units being adapted to continuously unidirectionally rotate,

each rotary unit including:

rotary support structure rotatable about a given axis,

bracket means carried by the rotary support structure,

a rod carried by the rotary support structure parallel to the axis of rotation thereof,

a tucker blade carried by the rotary support structure parallel to the axis of rotation thereof, the rod and the tucker blade being spaced apart and substantially equidistant from the axis of rotation of the rotary support structure,

gripping jaw means carried by the rod and by the bracket means and adjustably movable in directions parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary support structure, the gripping jaw means having portions relatively movable one toward the other for gripping operation,

cam means carried by the support structure,

cam follower means,

means joining the gripping jaw means to the cam follower means, rotation of the rotary unit causing the cam follower means to follow the cam means for gripping operation of the gripping jaw means,

the rotary units being disposed in juxtaposed relationship so that a tucker blade of one unit is movable to juxtaposition with the gripping jaw means of another rotary unit.

5. In folder apparatus:

support structure,

a rotary shaft, the shaft having a plurality of axially spaced notches,

a bracket carried by the rotary shaft and provided with a hub encompassing the rotary shaft so that the bracket and hub are movable axially along the rotary shaft,

a finger pivotally carried by the hub and movable into any one of the notches of the shaft to position the hub and bracket with respect to the shaft,

a pair of support members carried by the shaft for rotation therewith,

an auxiliary shaft rotatably extending through the bracket and rotatably supported by support members, the auxiliary shaft being substantially parallel with the rotary shaft,

a stationary jaw fixedly carried by the bracket adjacent the auxiliary shaft,

a movable jaw carried by the auxiliary shaft and rotatively movable therewith, the movable jaw being axially movable upon the auxiliary shaft,

rotative movement of the auxiliary shaft causing the movable jaw carried thereby to rotatively move with respect to the stationary jaw carried by the bracket for gripping action of the jaws,

cam means carried by the support structure,

cam follower means carried by the auxiliary shaft and in engagement with the cam means, movement of the cam follower means causing rotative movement of the auxiliary shaft,

rotation of the rotary shaft causing rotation of the bracket and also causing the cam follower means to move upon the cam means.

6. The appartus of claim 5 in which the cam means is adjustable with respect to the support structure so that the rotative position of the auxiliary shaft and the movable jaw can be adjusted with respect to any given position of rotation of the rotary shaft.

7. In apparatus for folding a Web:

Support structure,

a pair of rotary shafts disposed in adjacent parallel relation and carried by the support structure,

a plurality of brackets, there being at least one bracket carried by each of the rotary shafts for rotation therewith and axially adjustably movable with respect thereto,

a plurality of support members, there being at least one support member carried by each of the rotary shafts for rotation therewith,

a plurality of auxiliary shafts, there being at least one auxiliary shaft rotatably carried by each of the support members,

a plurality of fixed jaw members, there being at least one fixed jaw member carried by each of the brackets,

a plurality of movable jaw members, there being one movable jaw member carried by an auxiliary shaft adjacent each of the fixed jaw members for rotation therewith, rotative movement of each auxiliary shaft causing movement of each movable jaw member carried thereby with respect to the fixed jaw member which is adjacent thereto, each movable jaw member being movable to clamping position with respect to the fixed jaw member which is adjacent thereto, at least one of the movable jaw members being axially movable with respect to its respective auxiliary shaft,

cam means carried by the support structure and by each of the auxiliary shaft members for rotative movement of the auxiliary shafts with rotation of the rotary shafts.

8. In apparatus for folding a web:

support structure,

a pair of rotary shafts disposed in adjacent parallel relationship and carried by the support structure,

a plurality of brackets, there being at least one bracket carried by each of the rotary shafts for rotation therewith and axially adjustably movable with respect thereto,

a plurality of support members, there being at least one support member carried by each of the rotary shafts for rotation therewith,

a plurality of auxiliary shafts, there being at least one auxiliary shaft rotatably carried by each of the support members,

a plurality of fixed jaw members, there being at least one fixed jaw member carried by each of the brackets,

a plurality of movable jaw members, there being one movable jaw member carried by an auxiliary shaft adjacent each of the fixed jaw members for rotation therewith, rotative movement of each auxiliary shaft causing movement of each movable jaw member carried thereby with respect to the fixed jaw member which is adjacent thereto, each movable jaw member being movable to clamping position with respect to the fixed jaw member which is adjacent thereto, at least one of the movable jaw members being axially movable with respect to its respective auxiliary shaft,

cam means carried by the support structure and by each of the auxiliary shaft members for rotative movement of the auxiliary shafts with rotation of the rotary shafts,

a plurality of elongate tucker blade members, there be ing at least one tucker blade member carried by each of the support members and disposed substantially parallel with the rotary shafts.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 in which each of the elongate tucker blade members is resilient and is rotatably mounted.

10. In folder apparatus:

support structure,

a rotary shaft carried by the support structure, the

rotary shaft being adapted for continuous unidirectional rotation,

a bracket carried by the rotary shaft for rotation therewith and axially adjustably movable with respect thereto,

an auxiliary shaft rotatably carried by the rotary shaft substantially parallel therewith,

a stationary jaw carried by the bracket adjacent the auxiliary shaft,

a movable jaw carried by the auxiliary shaft for rotative movement therewith, the movable jaw being reciprocally movable into and out of gripping relation with the stationary jaw upon reciprocal rotative movement of the auxiliary shaft, the movable jaw being axially movable with respect to the auxiliary shaft while the movable jaw is carried by the auxiliary shaft,

and operator means carried by the support structure and by the auxiliary shaft for reciprocal rotative movement of the auxiliary shaft with rotation of the rotary shaft.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 in which the operator means is adjustably carried by the support structure so that rotative position of the auxiliary shaft is adjustable with respect to any given position of rotation of the rotary shaft.

12. In folding apparatus:

support structure,

a rotary shaft carried by the support structure and unidirectionally rotatable with respect thereto,

an auxiliary shaft,

support means carried by the rotary shaft and rotatable therewith, said support means rotatably supporting the auxiliary shaft substantially parallel with the rorotary shaft,

a stationary jaw carried by the rotary shaft for rotation therewith and axially adjustably movable with respect thereto while carried thereby,

a movable jaw carried by the auxiliary shaft for rotation therewith and adjustably axially movable with respect thereto while carried thereby,

the movable jaw being movable toward the stationary jaw and into clamping position with the stationary jaw with rotative movement of the auxiliary shaft,

operator means carried by the support structure and by the auxiliary shaft for rotative movement of the auxiliary shaft with rotation of the rotary shaft.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 in which the operator means is adjustable with respect to the support structure, so that the rotative position of the auxiliary shaft is adjustable with respect to any given position of rotation of the rotary shaft.

14. In folder apparatus:

support structure,

a rotary shaft carried by the support structure,

a bracket carried by the rotary shaft for rotation therewith,

a stationary jaw carried by the bracket,

an auxiliary shaft,

support means carried by the rotary shaft and rotatable therewith, said support means rotatively supporting the auxiliary shaft,

a yoke encompassing the auxiliary shaft,

a movable jaw carried by the yoke adjacent the stationary jaw and in alignment therewith,

the yoke having a bifurcated portion with spaced parts,

a sleeve encompassing the auxiliary shaft and rotatable therewith,

a lug carried by the sleeve and disposed between the spaced parts of the yoke so that rotative movement of the sleeve causes rotative movement of the yoke,

rotative movement of the yoke causing movement of the movable jaw into gripping engagement with the stationary jaw,

and means carried by the auxiliary shaft and by the support structure for rotative movement of the auxiliary shaft with rotation of the rotary shaft.

15. In folder apparatus:

support structure,

a rotary shaft carried by the support structure,

a first jaw, the first jaw extending laterally from the rotary shaft and carried thereby for rotation therewith,

an auxiliary shaft,

means carried by the rotary shaft and rotatable therewith and rotatably supporting the auxiliary shaft,

there being a portion of the auxiliary shaft adjacent the first jaw,

a yoke encompassing the auxiliary shaft and adjacent the first jaw, the yoke having a bifurcated portion provided with spaced parts,

a second jaw, the second jaw being carried by the yoke,

the second jaw being movable into cooperating gripping engagement with the first jaw with rotative movement of the yoke,

a sleeve encompassing the auxiliary shaft and rotatable therewith, the sleeve being adjacent the yoke,

a lug fixedly carried by the sleeve and disposed between the spaced parts of the bifurcated portion of the yoke,

adjustment means carried by the bifurcated portion of the yoke and engageable with the lug carried by the sleeve to rotatively position the yoke with respect to the sleeve, rotative movement of the sleeve causing rotative movement of the yoke,

and means carried by the support structure and by the auxiliary shaft for rotative movement of the auxiliary shaft with rotation of the rotary shaft.

16. Apparatus for folding a web or the like, comprising:

support structure,

a pair of rotary units carried by the support structure in adjacent parallel relationship, each of the rotary units being continuously unidirectionally rotatable,

a plurality of pairs of coopearting gripping jaw members,

means supporting a pair of the cooperating gripping jaw members upon each of the rotary units so that the pair of gripping jaw members is adjustably movable along a line parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary unit while supported by said means, the gripping jaw members having opening and closing operation,

means carried by the support structure and joined to at least one of the gripping jaw members for opening and closing operation of the gripping jaw members with rotation of the rotary unit,

a pair of tucker blades, there being a tucker blade carried by each of the rotary units parallel to the axis of rotation thereof, the tucker blade carried by each rotary unit being movable into juxtaposition with a pair of gripping jaw members carried by the other rotary unit during rotation of the rotary units.

17. Apparatus for folding a web or the like comprising:

rotary support structure adapted for continuous unidirectional rotation,

a plurality of jaw units for gripping the web at limited portions thereof, each jaw unit including a stationary jaw and a movable jaw,

carrier means attaching the jaw units to the support structure for support thereby and for rotation therewith, the jaw units being at spaced-apart positions along a line substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary support structure for gripping the web at limited portions thereof, the jaw units being operable into and out of gripping position,

means movable along a line substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary support structure for supporting at least one of the jaw units for adjustment along said line, the jaw units thus being relatively separable to various positions for gripping a web at selected limited spaced-apart portions thereof,

means for operating the jaw units into and out of gripping position during rotation of the rotary support structure.

18. In apparatus for folding a web or the like,

stationary support structure,

a main rotary shaft carried by the support structure and continuously unidirectionally rotatable with respect thereto,

a plurality of stationary jaw members carried by the main rotary shaft for rotation therewith,

the stationary jaw members being at spaced-apart posi tions along the length of the main rotary shaft, the stationary jaw members being at positions along a line spaced from and substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the main rotary shaft,

means for adjusting the spacing between the stationary jaw members while the stationary jaw members are carried by the main rotary shaft,

an auxiliary shaft carried by the main rotary shaft and substantially parallel thereto,

a plurality of movable jaw members carried by the auxiliary shaft, the movable jaw members being at spaced-apart positions substantially along said line which is spaced from and substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the main rotary shaft, there being one movable jaw member adjacent each of the stationary jaw members so that a jaw unit of a sta tionary jaw member and a movable jaw unit is formed, each movable jaw member being movable toward and away from its respective stationary jaw member for clamping and unclamping operation of the jaw members, such movement of the movable jaw members toward and away from the respective stationary jaw members occurring with rotative movement of the auxiliary shaft,

and means for adjustably changing the relative spacedapart positions of the movable jaw members while the movable jaw members are supported by the auxiliary shaft,

the jaw units thus being relatively separable in the positions thereof substantially along a line which is substantially parallel and spaced from the axis of IO- tation of the rotary shaft.

19. In folding apparatus,

support structure,

a rotary unit carried by the support structure and unidirectionally rotatable with respect thereto,

gripping jaw means,

connector means attaching the gripping jaw means to the rotary unit, the gripping jaw means thus being rotatable with the rotary unit during unidirectional rotation thereof, the connector means being movable along a line substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary unit, the gripping jaw means being movable into and out of gripping position,

and means for moving the gripping jaw means into and out of gripping position during said unidirectional rotation of the rotary unit.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,249,367 12/17 Flett 270-73 2,527,194 10/50 Meyer 270-71 2,626,145 1/53 Sabee 270--73 3,044,766 7/62 Banks 270-73 3,086,768 4/63 Lach 270-69 X EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,214,162 October 26, 1965 Paul H. Breidenbach et a1.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 6, line 1, before "rotary" insert other column 8, line 12, for "thereby." read thereby, line 63, beginning with "a plurality of cam" strike out all to and including "movable jaw member." in line 3, column 9, and insert the same after "thereby,"*"in line 12, column 8; column 8, line 62, for "web," read web. column 11, lines 37 and 38, for "rorotary" read rotary column 12, line 43, for "coopearting" read cooperating Signed and sealed this 7th day of June 1966.

( L) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. FOLDER APPARATUS COMPRISING: A PLURALITY OF ROTARY DEVICES, THE ROTARY DEVICES BEING ROTATABLE ABOUT ADJACENT PARALLEL AXES, EACH OF THE ROTARY DEVICES BEING ADAPTED FOR CONTINUOUS UNIDIRECTIONAL ROTATION, EACH ROTARY DEVICE INCLUDING A MAIN ROTARY SHAFT, EACH ROTARY DEVICE ALSO INCLUDING A PAIR OF PLATES, THERE BEING A PLATE ADJACENT EACH END OF THE MAIN ROTARY SHAFT AND ROTATABLE THEREWITH, EACH ROTARY DEVICE ALSO INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF AUXILIARY SHAFTS ROTATABLY CARRIED BY THE PLATES AND EXTENDING THEREBETWEEN, EACH OF THE AUXILIARY SHAFTS BEING PARALLEL WITH THE AXIS OF THE MAIN ROTARY SHAFT AND SPACED THEREFROM, AN ELONGATE TUCKER BLADE CARRIED BY THE PLATES AND EXTENDING THEREBETWEEN PARALLEL WITH THE AUXILIARY SHAFTS, A PLURALITY OF AXIALLY SPACED-APART MOVABLE JAW MEMBERS CARRIED BY EACH OF THE AUXILIARY SHAFTS FOR ROTATIVE MOVEMENT THEREWITH, MEANS FOR ADJUSTABLE AXIAL MOVEMENT OF AT LEAST ONE OF THE MOVABLE JAW MEMBERS WHILE THE MOVABLE JAW MEMBERS ARE CARRIED BY THE AUXILIARY SHAFT, A PLURALITY OF BRACKET MEMBERS ATTACHED TO THE MAIN SAHFT FOR ROTATION THEREWITH, MEANS FOR ADJUSTABLE AXIAL MOVEMENT OF AT LEAST ONE OF THE BRACKET MEMBERS ALONG THE MAIN SHAFT WHILE THE BRACKET MEMBERS ARE CARRIED THEREBY, A PLURALITY OF AXIALLY SPACED-APART STATIONERY JAW MEMBERS CARRIED BY THE BRACKET MEANS, THERE BEING A STATIONARY JAW MEMBER ADJACENT EACH OF THE MOVABLE JAW MEMBERS, ROTATIVE MOVEMENT OF THE AUXILIARY SHAFT WHICH SUPPORTS THE MOVABLE JAW MEMBERS CAUSING CLAMPING AND UNCLAMPING ACTION BETWEEN THE MOVABLE JAW MEMBERS AND THE STATIONARY JAW MEMBERS, A PLURALITY OF STATIONARY CAM MEMBERS, THERE BEING A STATIONARY CAM MEMBER ADJACENT EACH OF THE ROTARY DEVICES, A PLURALITY OF CAM FOLLOWER MEMBERS, THERE BEING A CAM FOLLOWER MEMBER ATTACHED TO EACH AUXILIARY SHAFT AND ROTATABLE THEREWITH, THE CAM FOLLOWER MEMBER ENGAGING A STATIONARY CAM MEMBER SO THAT THE AUXILIARY SHAFT ROTATIELY MOVES AS THE ROTARY DEVICE ROTATE AND AS THE CAM FOLLOWER FOLLOWS THE STATIONARY CAM MEMBER, THE TUCKER BLADE OF EACH ROTARY DEVICE BEING DISPOSABLE INTERMEDIATE A STATIONARY JAW MEMBER AND A MOVABLE JAW MEMBER OF THE OTHER ROTARY DEVICE AS THE ROTARY DEVICES ROTATE. 